遅れる vs 遅刻する
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 遅れる
Listen to 遅刻する
| 遅れる | 遅刻する |
|---|---|
o-KE-re-ru verb (intransitive) | ちこくする (chikoku suru) verb (intransitive) |
| to be late; to be delayed (intransitive) | to be late for an appointment/event (to arrive after the scheduled start) |
How they differ
遅れる is a general intransitive verb used for people and things being late or delayed; 遅刻する specifically refers to a person arriving after the scheduled start of a class, meeting, or work and often implies personal fault or responsibility.
When to use each
When to use 遅れる: Prefer 遅れる when describing delays of trains, shipments, or general lateness without focusing on personal responsibility.
When to use 遅刻する: Prefer 遅刻する when talking about someone's tardiness to a class, meeting, or work, especially when noting that they missed the scheduled start.
Side-by-side examples
- バスが遅れて授業に遅れた。
(The bus was delayed, so I was late to class.) - 彼は毎日遅刻する。
(He is late every day.)
Register & nuance: 遅刻する is neutral/common in everyday speech when discussing punctuality, slightly more focused on personal behavior.